Suspected militants shot dead three civilians in Baramulla on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said. Officials identified the victims as Asif Ahmad Sheikh, Haseeb Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Asgar – all residents of Kakar Hamam.

The suspected militants had opened fire at them near the Iqbal Market in Khanpora. The police, however, refused to share details about the motive for the attack. “Preliminary investigation reveals the role of the Lashkar-e-Taiba,” a police spokesperson said. “One Pakistan-based and two other local militants of Baramulla are the principal suspects in this case and are already wanted by law.

In a separate incident in Pulwama, two suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militants and one civilian were killed in an encounter with security officials during a search operation in Pulwama. Two Army personnel and 15 others sustained injuries in the Pulwama firing.